Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Andrew Gamble is back in the Iowa Central wrestling lineup this season.

For Luke Moffitt, getting the season started is priority No. 1 for his wrestlers at Iowa Central.

Moffitt and the Tritons had the start of their season delayed due to the novel coronavirus. They also had several planned meets scrapped completely.

But the goal remains the same: another national championship for one of the nation’s storied junior college programs.

“Nationals are really important,” Moffitt said. “Every year, our guys want to win a team title. Anything outside of that is not where we want to be. They know that, and that’s how they prepare and train.

“But we know it is not going to be easy. It seems like the national meet has gotten much tougher to win, and that includes competing within our own state and region.”

The Tritons begin their 2021 season with as tough of a test as possible, taking on NCAA Div. I Iowa State in Ames this week. That dual, is just another way for Iowa Central to test itself.

“It’s great we were able to get (the dual with the Cyclones) on our schedule,” Moffitt said. “It gives the kids the chance to compete against tough competition and see where they stand in comparison.

“Having that opportunity is huge for our program.”

A trio of returning wrestlers are back to lead the way in Bret Minor, Nolan Miller-Johnston and Andrew Gamble. All three competed at nationals a year ago, as the Tritons placed eighth overall with three medalists — including champion Boone McDermott.

“They’ve been good leaders and have come in with high expectations for themselves,” Moffitt said. “We’ve got good competition at those weights, so those guys know they are going to have to bring it every single day.”

Keaton Geerts — a transfer from the University of Northern Iowa — as well as the returning Jose Rodriguez and Jordan Pryor are among the group of wrestlers Moffitt is relying on for a team nucleus.

“Jordan was good enough to wrestle for us last year, he just had (McDermott) ahead of him,” Moffitt said. “Keaton has a great resume, and Jose was an All-American for us in 2018 that is back.”

The Tritons have three home duals on the schedule, with both regionals and the NJCAA meets set for April in Council Bluffs. Their home opener is scheduled for Feb. 17 against Indian Hills.

IOWA CENTRAL WRESTLING

Roster

Brett Carder, Lugoff, SC; Aiden Carr, Ames; Arnold Charleston, St. Louis; James Cline, Limerick, ME; Chris Eastman, Riceville; Andrew Gamble, Belton, MO; Keaton Geerts, New Hampton; Daquion Goodbeir, Duluth, GA; Aaron Goodman, Columbia, SC; Davian Gowens, Hesperia, MI; Marquavious Green, Jonesboro, GA; Jesus Gutierrez, Victorville, CA; Hugo Harp, Smyrna, DE; Aidan Harris, Layton, UT; Reese Hood, Missoula, MT; Lorenzo Jenkins, St. Louis; Chad Klein, Hospers; Jordan Lee, Seneca, SC; Harry Lloyd, Honolulu.

Devon McSorley, Hastings, MN; Nolan Miller-Johnston, Omaha; Bret Minor, Louisburg, KS; Amir Pierce, Dover, DE; Barret Pitt, Magnolia; Jordan Pryor, Baltimore; Jose Rodriguez, St. Paul, MN; Trevion Sample, Grand Prairie TX; Rhyker Sims, Sergeant Bluff; Phil Smith, Jr., Owings Mills, MD; Dashawn Tigges, Dubuque; Couy Weil, Dodge City, KS; Yoseph Yilma, Silver Spring, MD.

Schedule

Jan. 30 – at Iowa State.

Feb. 11 – at Iowa Western; 17 – Indian Hills; 24 – at NIACC.

March 11 – at Iowa Lakes; 17 – Ellsworth; 24 – Iowa Western.

April 10 – at Region XI Championships in Council Bluffs; April 21-22 – at NJCAA National Championships in Council Bluffs.